Suns

Phoenix then proceeded to mount a comeback out of halftime behind Booker's efficient shooting, where he put up 20 points in the third quarter on 8 of 12 from ...

Despite injuries to key players and Paul starting the season incredibly slow, Booker has led the Suns to a 18-12 record, good for fourth in a tight Western Conference. It was a signature performance from one of the best players in the league, and a great example to use for Booker's case in the MVP race. Though Booker only scored one more point in the last six minutes of the game, his teammates picked up where he left off and finished off the game for him. By the end of the third, the Suns cut a 24-point lead down to just four with Booker carrying the entirety of his team on his back. By halftime Booker already had 22 points, and while the Suns were down 17 points after two quarters, the All-Star guard was doing his best to at least give his team a chance. The Pelicans had built themselves a 24-point lead, and it appeared as though the Suns were showing no signs of life on their home floor.

Booker scored 58 points Saturday night to carry the Suns out of a 24-point hole versus the Pelicans.

Booker’s 58-point explosion was the most an opponent has ever scored against New Orleans in franchise history and another great chapter in the growing rivalry between the Suns and the Pelicans. Booker clearly wanted to send a message after sitting out the last time these two teams played. [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/)’s most exciting rivalries.

New Orleans dropped the finale of a three-game road trip in Phoenix.

Less than ideal, to say the least. Offense was definitely not the issue on this night for New Orleans. 2: Place in the Western Conference for New Orleans, which did not lose ground on first-place Memphis because the Grizzlies were upset at Oklahoma City on Saturday, following a Ja Morant ejection. CJ McCollum put on a display for one half similar to what Booker produced over the entire 48 minutes. He was 11/19 from the field and 4/7 on three-pointers. From a big halftime lead for New Orleans, to an even larger advantage in the third quarter, to an epic barrage of buckets by Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Saturday’s Western Conference showdown was filled with wild swings.

PHOENIX -- It felt like a playoff atmosphere at the Footprint Center. If you didn't know any better watching the game, you would have believed it.

New Orleans took a 63-46 lead into the break and it appeared the Suns didn't have any answers. Phoenix eventually knotted things up at 99-99 with 6:52 left in the game. PHOENIX -- It felt like a playoff atmosphere at the Footprint Center.

While he has seen success, it doesn't compare to other draft picks in his class that were taken after him. Recent Struggles. Ayton Booker.

However, over his last 10 games, Ayton has averaged 19.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 2.2 APG on 66 percent field goal shooting. Through their first 10 games, the Suns had a defensive rating of 107.7. However, in their last 10 games, they have a defensive rating of 116.9. Through his first 10 games this season, Ayton averaged 14.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.5 APG on 55 percent shooting from the field. Phoenix has struggled significantly over the last few weeks, going 4-6 in their previous 10 games. After a rough start to the season, Deandre Ayton wasn't very popular amongst Phoenix Suns fans as he was underachieving yet again.